User:Gawnggan

Deborah-May Torrens a.k.a., 'Gawnggan'

Date of first Birth: sixth day on the Month of August, in the Year One-thousand, nine-hundred and eighty-one, at Galambirla (Coffs Harbour, New South Wales), within the Gumbaynggirr Nation (On My first birth).

Second Birth: Year: 2014, age thirty-three (33). Place of rebirth: At my Tent, by the still waters on My second birth.

Background:

Raised mostly by the Sisters of Mercy in St. Joseph's Children's Orphanage, Grafton, Cowper, New South Wales.

Childhood:

Transfers to various schools forced me to constantly balance the previous curriculum with the new schools curriculum.

This resulted in receiving a poor education from the state education system, as they did it take into consideration, the children who were in Care of the state, Departments, churches or in foster care.

Adolescent:

After leaving the Childrens Homes and My mother's place, I ventured into the big wide world.

Unfortunately, when I ventured out, I ventured out without any skills or guidance on Life.

I had no cooking skills to cook for myself.

I had no sewing skills to sew myself clothes, for if the time came when I never had enough money to purchase them for myself or my son.

I had no home-economic skills.

I had no knowledge or discipline in savings.

I had no knowledge on personal boundaries.

I had no knowledge of my own Gumbaynggirr or Banyjalang History or Prominent people past and current.

I had no support from healthy family members, community, the Orphanage, or the Department of Children Services.

Three words can sum up how it felt; neglected, abandoned and rejected by those who You have Loved.

Adulthood:

Stay tuned.